Pyotr Pankratau And Minsk: Soldier Rescues Squirrel, Takes Him To New Job (PHOTOS)

Pyotr Pankratau was a soldier in the Belarussian army when he rescued a weak baby squirrel on the verge of death. Two years later, Pankratau is now a taxi-driver, but the squirrel never leaves his side.

Soldiers in Belarus found the feeble baby squirrel and brought him to Pankratau, who was their warrant officer. Pankratau took in the tiny squirrel, feeding it like a baby every four hours until it returned to health.

"He was lying unconscious under the tree. There were worms in his mouth and right eye, I took them out. However, two weeks later everything got back to normal. I fed him with baby food and milk through a syringe ... Then his teeth came out and he started eating himself. Half a year later I vaccinated and registered him," Pankratau told Euro Radio.

The squirrel, dubbed Minsk, stayed with Pankratau throughout his military service. Now, two years since the rescue, the pair continues to be inseparable.

Pankratau has left the army and works as a cab driver. Minsk is never too far from him, taking up the role of assistant cab driver.
Minsk is very well trained and keeps to his designated areas in the cab, lying in his bed on the dashboard or peeking at Pankratau through the wheel.

"I don't show him to everyone. I mean, what's the point? Why disturbing him all the time? I show him to kids," Pankratau said. (SOURCE)

Oh my God, that is such a wonderful story and the ending is amazing. That little creature loves you and your cat. The pictures melt my heart. You are a good person and these beautiful animals are so lucky to have such a good friend. God be with you and his beautiful creatures. <3

Awesome story!...My parents had one that they rescued, it was fun going over there and having it climb on us, but they didn't keep it, when it was big enough, they brought it to their cabin, and let it go free...My mom also nursed a Blue Jay back to health, when I was younger, and when she set it free, it kept coming back, and pecking on our door, to come in...

God works in mysterious ways between human's & animal 's. Brought tear's of joy to our heart's to witness the compassion between the three 😂! God bless the man who took time to aid the little squirrel & bring back to life. The little squirrel showed his love for the guy ,who help him & nursed him back to a healthy little squirrel. God bless,Punchy & Kevin 😊 😏

I rescued a squirrel as a tiny baby with his/her front teeth broken out from a fall from a nest to the concrete. He/she lived in my house and the teeth grew back. However, as it grew older it always had a choice to go out the window and leave. As time went by it gradually became independent and moved outdoors and started a "squirrel life" with its own kind.

I wish I had a squirrel like that! I feed the squirrels at a park everyday. They only let me get so close to them, but I will protect them the best I can. They mean the world to me. My dream is to have a squirrel sanctuary and they wouldn't have to worry about getting hit by cars. There would be no birds, dogs or people. It would be climate controlled and they could live their happy lives!

Beautiful story. Remarkable man with a nice heart. The world needs people like this man; if most of us showed empathy and love for other living creatures instead of hurting them we would be living in a more peaceful and harmonious world. God bless his soul!

thats awesome we rescued a baby squirrel as well he went back to the wild tho when he was grown but as a baby he loved to sleep in a shirt pocket so everyone in my family wore either button up shirts with pockets or t-shirts with pockets lol!! very sweet loving little creatures !!!

Animals are a gift from our Creator. They make us smile and warm our hearts. I doubt anyone reading this story isn't grinning just reading about the love shown here. The bond between man and wildlife inspirers. Thank you kindly for sharing your story. Now I'll go share it with my Grandbabies and inspire them.